HUMAN STEM CELL RESEARCH

Media reports during 2007

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2007-JAN-12: U.S.: Embryonic stem cell research
bill passes House: By a vote of 253 to 174, the House passed a bill that
would allow federal funding of embryonic research on spare embryos abandoned in
fertility clinics. It now goes to the Senate where it is expected to pass. It
will probably be vetoed by the president. It is doubtful that the House and
Senate will be able to muster a two-thirds majority to override the veto.
According to the Catholic News Agency:

"The measure passed in Congress after an emotional debate in which
supporters argued that embryonic stem-cell research has the best hope
for potential cures for degenerative diseases. Opponents condemned it as
unethical and immoral, and pointed to alternative sources for stem
cells." 1

The alternate sources are apparently adult stem
cells which are limited in usefulness compared to embryonic stem cells.

2007-FEB-17: U.S.: Stem cells may cure deafness
within a decade: Stefan Heller at the Stanford University School of
Medicine hopes to develop a cure for some forms of deafness within a
decade. He discussed his embryonic stem cell plans on a panel at the annual
meeting of the American Association for the Advancement of Science called: "Hearing
health: The looming crisis and what can be done about it." His initial
goal is to cure deafness in mice within the next five years. In 2003, his
team was able to coax embryonic stem cells to differentiate into hair cells
-- one of the 220 cell types in the body. 2

"I stand in full support of the Stem Cell Research Enhancement
Act as I did when this bill was introduced and sent to the
Presidentís desk in the 109th Congress. I am proud to be an original
cosponsor of this bill."

"I am frustrated by the opposition this bill has generated and
saddened that we are preventing the advancement of important science
that could potentially impact millions of suffering Americans. The
study of stem cells holds enormous promise for the treatment of
debilitating and life-threatening diseases. However, in order to
reach this level of medical achievement, much more research is
necessary to understand, and eventually harness, the amazing
potential of stem cells. Instead of creating roadblocks, we must all
work together to expand federal funding of stem cell research and
continue moving forward in our fight against disease by advancing
our knowledge through science and medicine." 7

2007-APR-12: U.S.: Embryonic stem cell bill
passes Senate: Senate bill S. 5 which would authorize embryonic stem
cell research on unused embryos passed 63 to 34 with three abstensions. President Bush promiseds to
veto the bill when it arrives at his desk. He said:

"...It will be years before researchers know how much promise lies in
[embryonic stem cell research]. It is most important to develop
ethically responsible techniques, so the potential of stem cells can be
explored without violating human dignity... S.5... crosses a moral line
that I and many others find troubling. If it advances... through
Congress to my desk, I will veto it."

The votes were short of the 67 needed to
override the expected presidential veto. 3

2007-JUN-07:U.S.:
Senate bill S. 5 passes House:
The House of Representatives passed the bill by a vote of 247 to 176, with
10 abstentions. 6

2007-JUN-20: President Bush vetoed Senate
bill S5. 6

2007-SEP-18: NJ: Pro-life groups attempt to
stop ballot measure: Pro-life advocates have attempted to stop a ballot
measure that would authorize the expenditure of $450 million for embryonic
stem cell research and therapeutic cloning. They seek a temporary
restraining order to stop the printing of the ballots and an injunction to
prevent the question from appearing on the ballots. 4

2007-OCT-4: U.S.: USA: Hillary Clinton would
free up stem cell research: In an address before the Carnegie
Institution for Science, Ms. Clinton said that the severe restrictions
on stem cell research installed by President Bush created a:

"ban on hope. ... The Bush
administration has declared war on science. ... When I am president,
scientific integrity will not be the exception it will be the rule. ...
For six and half years under this president, it's been open season on
open inquiry. By ignoring or manipulating science, the Bush
administration is letting our economic competitors get an edge in the
global economy. I believe we have to change course, and I know America
is ready."

She said she would establish new procedures
that would prevent political appointees from altering or removing
conclusions made by government scientists.

Related essays on this web site:

Cloning and stem cell research are unrelated lines of research. However, they
both start with an ovum and initially use some of the same techniques.